This randomized phase III trial studies the side effects of and compares apixaban and dalteparin in reducing blood clots in patients with cancer-related venous thromboembolism. Venous thromboembolism is a condition in which a blood clot forms in a vein and then breaks off and moves through the bloodstream. Patients with cancer are at increased risk for venous thromboembolism. Apixaban and dalteparin are drugs used to prevent blood clots from forming or to treat blood clots that have formed. It is not yet known whether apixaban or dalteparin is more effective in reducing blood clots in patients with cancer related venous thromboembolism.
ADAM-VTE
Currently, low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) is the guideline endorsed treatment of patients with cancer associated venous thromboembolism (VTE). While apixaban is approved for the treatment of acute VTE, there are limited data supporting its use in cancer patients. The rationale and design of this investigator initiated Phase IV, multicenter, randomized, open label, superiority trial assessing the safety of apixaban versus dalteparin for cancer associated VTE is provided (ADAM-VTE; NCT02585713). The main aim of the ADAM-VTE trial is to test the hypothesis that apixaban is associated with a significantly lower rate of major bleeding compared to dalteparin in the treatment of cancer patients with acute VTE. The primary safety outcome is rate of major bleeding. Secondary efficacy objective is to assess the rates of recurrent VTE or arterial thromboembolism. Cancer patients with acute VTE (n=300) are randomized to receive apixaban (10 mg twice daily for 7 days followed by 5 mg twice daily thereafter) or dalteparin (200 IU/Kg daily for 30 days followed by 150 IU/kg daily thereafter) for 6 months. Stratification factors used for randomization include cancer stage and cancer specific risk of venous thromboembolism using the Khorana score. Participating centers are chosen from the Academic and Community Cancer Research United (ACCRU) consortium comprised of 90 oncology practices in the United States and Canada. Based on the hypothesis to be tested, we anticipate that these trial results will provide evidence supporting apixaban as an effective treatment of cancer associated VTE at lower rates of major bleeding compared to LMWH.
BACKGROUND: Low-molecular-weight heparin is the guideline-endorsed treatment for cancer-associated venous thromboembolism (VTE). While apixaban is approved for the treatment of acute VTE, limited data support its use in cancer patients.
OBJECTIVES: The primary outcome was major bleeding. Secondary outcomes included VTE recurrence and a composite of major plus clinically relevant non-major bleeding (CRNMB).
PATIENTS/METHODS: Patients with cancer-associated VTE were randomly assigned to receive either apixaban 10 mg twice daily for seven days followed by 5 mg twice daily for six months or subcutaneous dalteparin (200 IU/kg for one month followed by 150 IU/kg once daily).
RESULTS: Of 300 patients randomized, 287 were included in the primary analysis. Metastatic disease was present in 66% of subjects; 74% were receiving concurrent chemotherapy. Major bleeding occurred in 0% of 145 patients receiving apixaban, compared with 1.4% of 142 patients receiving dalteparin [P = .138; hazard ratio (HR) not estimable because of 0 bleeding event in apixaban group]. Recurrent VTE occurred in 0.7% of apixaban, compared to 6.3% of dalteparin patients [HR 0.099, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.013-0.780, P = .0281). Major bleeding or CRNMB rates were 6% for both groups.
CONCLUSIONS: Oral apixaban was associated with low major bleeding and VTE recurrence rates for the treatment of VTE in cancer patients.
This randomized phase III trial studies the side effects of and compares apixaban and dalteparin in reducing blood clots in patients with cancer-related venous thromboembolism. Venous thromboembolism is a condition in which a blood clot forms in a vein and then breaks off and moves through the bloodstream. Patients with cancer are at increased risk for venous thromboembolism. Apixaban and dalteparin are drugs used to prevent blood clots from forming or to treat blood clots that have formed. It is not yet known whether apixaban or dalteparin is more effective in reducing blood clots in patients with cancer related venous thromboembolism.
